Box machine



y 1935. c. H. NlTSCH 2,000,712

BOX MACHINE Filed Jan. 23, 1955 .3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.1.

INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

May 7, 1935.

c, H. NITSCH 2,000,712

BOX MACHINE Filed Jan. 23, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 b" "P 11 9 i 4 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

y 7, 1935. c. H. NITSCH 2,000,712

BOX MACHINE Filed Jan. 23, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

N AM

ATTORNEY.

Fanny... 7, 1935 UNITED STATES BOX MACHINE Charles H. Nitsch, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to Stokes and Smith Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application January 23, 1935, Serial No. 2,983

5 Claims. (01. 93-54) My invention relates to machines for covering previously formed or stayed boxes by applying thereto a wrapper, label, or equivalent, or for forming a box from a box blank by applying sheet material, as a tabbed or untabbed wrapper, or by applying tabs to hold the box blank elements or panels in box-forming position.

More particularly, my invention is directed to an arrangement for separating the components of the form-block structure of a box-machine to facilitate removal of adhesive from the engaging faces of the components.

My invention further resides in the features of construction, combination and arrangement hereinafter described and claimed.

For an understanding of my invention and illustration of preferred forms thereof, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view, partly in section, of a box-machine embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a detail view, on enlarged scale, of the form-block operating mechanism and the mechanism for separating the components of the form block;

Fig. 2a shows, in dotted lines, certain parts extended from their position in Fig. 2; P

Fig. 3 is a detail view in side elevation of parts appearing in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 illustrates parts shown in Fig. 2 in an-' other position;

structure F comprises the lower or main form block LF and the upper or complemental form block UP. The lower form-block is connected to plunger I by the plate 2 which fits within the opening or recess 3 of the upper form-block and which is attached to the lower end of the rod 4 which, in effect, is an extension of plunger I. As shown most clearly in Figs. 2 and 5, the plunger I is guided for vertical reciprocating movement by means including the guide plates 5 secured to the end of the support 6 forming part of the frame of the machine. r

The upper form-block UF is secured to plate I at the lower ends of rods 8, 8 which pass through the guide blocks 9 and IIi near the lower and upper ends of plunger I. The upper ends of the rods which, in effect, comprise a plunger for is connected a powerful spring I2 which normally maintains engagement between the upper and lower form-blocks, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The main plunger I is connected by link I3 to the lever it which is pivoted at I 5 to the frame I6 and which is provided with a follower I! which engages the cam groove I8 of drum I9 secured to the upper end of shaft 20 driven through a suitable clutch by motor 2|.

As understood by those skilled in the art, the form-block structure F, in its descent, moves a box or blank adjacent to various tools, hereinafter briefly referred to, to apply a wrapper, tabbed or untabbed to the box or blank, or to apply tabs to a blank. These tools, mounted on four adjustable frames 22, are operated in proper timed relation to the form-block structure by the drum cam 23 on shaft 20. The upper cam groove 24 cooperates with the follower 25 and suitable links and shafts to operate the corner lap tools 26 of the upper frames 22, and the lower cam groove 21 cooperates with the follower 28 at the end of lever 28a to operate the rolls 29, the marginal turn-in tools 30 and presser blocks 3I of all four frames 22. For a more complete description of the tool-operating mechanism, which is not per se my invention, reference is made to U. S. Letters Patent #1,131,792 to Reifsnyder et al.

When, in the operation of the machine, the form-block structure reaches the position adjacent the marginal turn-in fingers 30, the wrapper and/or the tabs have been applied to the box or box-blank and extend above the top edge of the box, Fig. 241. As the form-block structure approaches this position, the stop rod 32 secured to the head II for the plunger rods 8 of the upper form-block UF engages the lever 33 which is pivoted at 34 to the frame member 6 and which is provided withv a follower 35, Fig. 1, in engagement with the cam groove 36 of drum iii; The lower form LF therefore continues to moveto the position shown in Fig. 2:; while the upper form UF, due to engagement of stop 32 with lever 33 remains in the position shown in Fig. 2a. While the form-block structure is thus separated, the marginal turn-in fingers 30 move inwardly to turn inwardly the portions of the wrapper and/or the tabs extending above the top edges of the box structure B. Thereupon, the lever 33 is moved by cam 36 so that spring I2 is free to move the upper formblock downwardly toward engagement with the lower form-block and, in so moving the upper form further folds the marginal portions of the wrapper or tabs into engagement with the inside of the box. Preferably, the upper formblock is moved by spring |2 onto the turn-in fingers 30 which are then retracted and spring l2 quickly moves the upper form downwardly into engagement with the lower form.

Shortly thereafter, the presser blocks 3| move inwardly to squeeze the blank,. wrapper and/or tabs, and the inturned margins between the presser blocks and the form block structura Thereafter, in a known manner, the form-block moves upwardly until the platen 38 is in the position shown in Fig. 1, whereupon the completed box is stripped from the form-block and removed from the machine by the ejector 39. The form-block structure continues its upward movement to the position shown in Fig. l to complete the cycle. v

In operation of the machine, it has been found that there is a tendency for adhesive to accumulate on the engaging faces of the upper and lower form-blocks. There is often a bead of glue on the edge of the marginal portions of the adhesive coated wrappers or tabs which is picked up by the turn-in fingers 38, during their above-described operation, and this adhesive is, in turn, transferred from the turn-in fingers to the lower face of the upper formblock. When the upper and lower form-blocks subsequently engage, this adhesive is smeared on their engaging surfaces. Further, in adjustment or running of the machine, there is sometimes a. jam as a result of which one or more torn pieces of paper are caught between the form-blocks.

To facilitate separation of the upper and lower form-blocks for removal of the adhesive and/or the pieces of wrapping or tab material, I provide the mechanism shown most clearly in Figs. 2 and 4. To the bracket 48, secured as by bolts 4| to the frame member 6, is adjustably secured, as by bolts 42, the slotted bracket extension member 43 upon the upper end of which is pivotally mounted the lever 44 connected by link or cable 45 to the operating handle 46.

The spring 41 biases the arm 48 of lever 44 against the adjustable stop 69 so that when handle 46 is in the position shown in Fig. 2, the end 48a of arm 48 is out of the path of the extension 49 of the head II for the rods 8 so that no obstruction is offered to the movement of formblock operating plungers. Assuming it is desired to remove glue or paper from between the upper and lower form blocks, the operator allows the machine to stop, the form-block structure and its operating mechanism coming to rest in the position shown in Fig. 2. The operator then pulls the handle 46 downwardly to swing the arm 48 into engagement with the under side of extension 49 of the auxiliary plunger head further movement of the handle lifts the head II to raise the upper form-block, as shown in Fig. 4, away from the lower form-block against the tension of spring l2. The lower form-block is prevented from movement by spring |2 by its connection through lever H with the cam groove I8.

After the desired cleaning has been effected, the operator releases handle 46, whereupon the spring 41 returns the arm 48 to its normal position against stop 69 out of the path of head-extension or abutments 49 and spring |2 returns the upper form-block UF into engagement with the lower form-block LF.

For different sizes of boxes, the upper position of the plunger may be adjusted to different positions by the knob 50. As shown in Fig. l, the end of the operating lever l4 carries a threaded member which receives a threaded rod 5|a rotatable by knob 50. Accordingly, as knob 50 is turned in onedirection or the other, the form-block structure F is raised or lowered from the position shown in Fig. 1, and the position of head II is correspondingly raised or lowered. To reestablish the proper relation of arm 48 and the abutment 49, thebracket extension 43 is adjusted by loosening bolts 42, moving the extension 43 to the desired position, and retightening bolts 42.

In the modification of the invention shown in Figs. 6 to 9, the rod 45 which extends upwardly from an operating handle, such as handle 46 of Fig. 2 is pivotally connected at its upper end to the member 52 which is loosely mounted on the shaft 53 rotatable in the bearing member 54 at the upper end of the bracket member 43. To the same shaft is secured the member 55 having an arm 56 which carries an adjustable stop 51 which engages the abutment 58 extending from member 52. Another arm 59 of member 55 slidably receives the bar 68 having a slot into which extends the pin 6| projecting from the arm 62 of the loosely mounted member 52.

The spring 63 connected between the bracket 43 and the arm 64 secured to shaft 53 biases the member 55 to the position shown in Fig. 6, the adjustable stop 65 engaging the arm 59 of member 55. The spring 66 connected between bracket 43 and the member 52 biases the latter to the position shown in Fig. 6 with the abutment 58 against the stop 51.

With the parts in the position shown in Fig. 6, the rod 60 is out of the path of the abutment 49 extending from the head I of the auxiliary formblock rods 8 to allow normal operation of the form-block structure, as above described.

When it becomes necessary or desirable to remove adhesive or paper from between the upper and lower form-blocks, the operator allows the machine to stop, the form-blocks and their operating mechanism assuming the position shown in Fig, 6. The operator, as by operation of handle 46, actuates rod 45 to rock the member 52 in a counter-clockwise direction. For the first part of this movement, the bar 60 slides in the arm 59 of member 55 which remains stationary. This preliminary movement brings the rod 68, as shown in Fig. 7, below the abutment 49. Further downward movement of link 45 causes both members 52 and 55 to move in counter-clockwise direction, as pin 6| is now in engagement with arm 59. Rod 68 therefor swings upwardly, lifting the head H and the upper form block UF connected thereto, as shown in Fig. 8.

With the form blocks separated, the operator may readily clean them. After the cleaning operation is finished, the operator releases the hande 46, or equivalent, whereupon the spring l2 returns the upper form block into engagement with the lower form block; spring 63 returns member 55 into engagement with stop 65 and spring 66 returns member 52 into engagement with stop 51. Rod 60, therefore, swings downwardly and then moves linearly out of the path of abutment 49 of head l|.

While I have illustrated and described preferred arrangements, it is to be understood my invention is not limited thereto but is coextensive in scope with the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A box machine comprising a form-block having separable components, an abutment movable with one of said components, mechanism operating during operation of said machine to separate said components, and means, normally inoperative, operable by an operator to separate said components comprising structure normally out of the path of said abutment, and means for moving said structure into engagement with said abutment and moving it to move said one of said components comprising a lever having an arm connected to said structure.

2. A box machine comprising a form-block having separable components, an abutment movable with one of said components, mechanism operating during operation of said machine to separate said components, and means, normally inoperative, operable by an operator to separate said components comprising structure normally out of the path of said abutment, and means for moving said structure into engagement with said abutment and moving it to move said one of said components comprising a lever having an arm integral with said structure.

3. A box machine comprising a form-block having separable components, an abutment movable with one of said components, mechanism operating during operation 01' said machine to separate said components, and means, normally inoperative, operable by an operator to separate said components comprising a pivoted member, means for biasing said member out of the path of said abutment, and means for moving said member to engageand move said abutment comprising a member having the same pivotal axis as said first pivoted member.

4. A box machine comprising a form-block having separable components, an abutment movable with one or said components, mechanism operating during operation of said machine to separate said components, and means, normally inoperative', operable by an operator to separate said components comprising a slotted reciprocable member, means for biasing said member out of the path of said abutment, a pivoted support for said member, and means for moving said member to engage and move said abutment comprising a pivoted member having an extension received by the slot of said reciprocable member.

5. A box machine comprising a reciprocating form-block having separable components, an abutment movable with one of said components, mechanism operative during the cycle of said machine to separate said components, a pivoted lever adjacent an end of the range of, movement of said abutment, and a second lever connected to said first lever for moving it to engage and move said abutment to separate said components.

CHARLES H. NITSCI-I. 

